Senate plan would slash housing stipends for some dual military families

WASHINGTON — Dual military couples would see their family’s housing stipends cut by hundreds of dollars a month under a plan approved by a Senate panel this week. The proposal echoes recommendations from Army auditors released last year but ultimately rejected by Pentagon leadership and lawmakers. The plan still must survive potential opposition in the full Senate and House before it could go into effect. But members of the Senate Armed Services Committee believe the idea could produce significant savings for the Defense Department, potentially freeing up funding for other program priorities. Included in the committee’s draft of the annual defense authorization bill is a provision that would allow dual military couples to only receive housing stipends at the “without dependents” rate, even if they have children. Currently, dual military couples with children receive two ho...